Development of Urinary Bladder Pre-Neoplasia by Schistosoma haematobium Eggs and Chemical Carcinogen in Mice.

Schistosoma haematobium is a biocarcinogen of human urinary bladder (UB). The present study investigated developing UB cancer mouse model by injecting S. haematobium eggs into the bladder wall and introduction of chemical carcinogens. Histopathological findings showed mild hyperplasia to epithelial vacuolar change, and high grade dysplasia. Squamous metaplasia was observed in the S. haematobium eggs+NDMA group at week 12 but not in other groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly high expression of Ki-67 in urothelial epithelial cells of the S. haematobium eggs+BBN group at week 20. The qRT-PCR showed high expression of p53 gene in S. haematobium eggs group at week 4 and S. haematobium eggs+BBN group at week 20. E-cadherin and vimentin showed contrasting expression in S. haematobium eggs+BBN group. Such inverse expression of E-cadherin and vimentin may indicate epithelial mesenchymal transition in the UB tissue. In conclusion, S. haematobium eggs and nitrosamines may transform UB cells into squamous metaplasia and dysplasia in correlation with increased expression of Ki-67. Marked decrease in E-cadherin and increase in p53 and vimentin expressions may support the transformation. The present study introduces a promising modified animal model for UB cancer study using S. haematobium eggs.

Advances in Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis: Focus on Challenges and Future Approaches.

Schistosomiasis is the second most devastating parasite prevalent in the tropical region of the world, posing significant public health impacts in endemic areas. Presently, several disease mitigation measures have shown a decline in transmission of the infection rate in risk localities using mass drug administration (MDA) of school-based or community-wide treatments. Despite all the endeavors made, the decline in transmission of infection rate has not been attained in the entire medicated segment of the population. Perhaps the current challenges of control of the disease appear to be strongly associated with a lack of appropriate diagnostic tools. It's well known that the current diagnosis of schistosomiasis greatly relies on conventional methods. On the other hand, minor symptoms of schistosomiasis and low sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic methods are still unresolved diagnostic challenges to clinicians. Numerous scholars have reviewed various diagnostic methods of schistosomiasis and attempted to identify their strengths and weaknesses, currently on function. As a result of the known limitations of the existing diagnostic tools, the need to develop new and feasible diagnostic methods and diagnostic markers is unquestionable for more precise detection of the infection. Hence, advances in diagnostic methods have been considered part of the solution for the control and eventual elimination strategy of the disease in endemic areas. As of today, easy, cheap, and accurate diagnostics for schistosomiasis are difficult to get, and this limits the concerted efforts towards full control of schistosomiasis. While looking for new diagnostic methods and markers, it is important to simultaneously work on improving the existing diagnostic methods for better results. This review tries to give new insights to the status of the existing diagnostic methods of schistosomiasis from conventional to modern via summarizing the strengths and limitations of the methods. It also tries to recommend new, sensitive and feasible diagnostic methods for future approaches.

Re-Emerging COVID-19: Controversy of Its Zoonotic Origin, Risks of Severity of Reinfection and Management.

The re-emergence of COVID-19 has sparked controversy around its zoonotic origin, management strategies, risks posed by the virus, and the severity of reinfection. While it is widely accepted that the virus originated from animals, the exact source and transmission pathway remain unclear. This has led to debates regarding the regulation of wildlife markets and trade, as well as the need for more robust surveillance and monitoring systems. Hence, the objective of this review is to provide a brief overview of the disease's biology, preventative strategies, risk factors, degree of reinfection, and epidemiological profile. It offers a thorough examination of the disease's root cause, potential zoonotic transmission, and the most recent preventive measures, like vaccines. In terms of management, there is ongoing debate about the most effective strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus. While public health measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing have been widely implemented, there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of lockdowns and restrictions on public movement. The risks posed by COVID-19 are also a topic of debate, with some arguing that the virus is relatively low-risk for the majority of the population while others highlight the potential for severe illness, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions. Finally, the possibility of reinfection has raised concerns about the longevity of immunity following infection or vaccination. While some studies have suggested that reinfection may be possible and potentially more severe, the overall risk remains uncertain and further research is needed to fully understand the implications of reinfection.

Emerging and Re-emerging Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases and the Challenges for Control: A Review.

Vector-borne emerging and re-emerging diseases pose considerable public health problem worldwide. Some of these diseases are emerging and/or re-emerging at increasing rates and appeared in new regions in the past two decades. Studies emphasized that the interactions among pathogens, hosts, and the environment play a key role for the emergence or re-emergence of these diseases. Furthermore, social and demographic factors such as human population growth, urbanization, globalization, trade exchange and travel and close interactions with livestock have significantly been linked with the emergence and/or re-emergence of vector-borne diseases. Other studies emphasize the ongoing evolution of pathogens, proliferation of reservoir populations, and antimicrobial drug use to be the principal exacerbating forces for emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne infectious diseases. Still other studies equivocally claim that climate change has been associated with appearance and resurgence of vector-borne infectious diseases. Despite the fact that many important emerging and re-emerging vector-borne infectious diseases are becoming better controlled, our success in stopping the many new appearing and resurging vector-borne infectious diseases that may happen in the future seems to be uncertain. Hence, this paper reviews and synthesizes the existing literature to explore global patterns of emerging and re-emerging vector-borne infections and the challenges for their control. It also attempts to give insights to the epidemiological profile of major vector-borne diseases including Zika fever, dengue, West Nile fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Chikungunya, Yellow fever, and Rift Valley fever.

Five-Year Trend Analysis of Malaria Cases in East Shawa Zone, Ethiopia.

Background: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. Of the five human malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the two co-endemic predominant and widely distributed species in Ethiopia, with major public health importance. Even though enormous effort has been made countrywide to reduce the disease burden little was reported about trends of malaria transmission in the several localities of malarious areas like East Shawa Zone, Ethiopia. Thus, the present study was aimed at assessing fiveyear (2016-2020) trends of malaria transmission at Adama, Boset and Lume districts of East Shawa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: Retrospective data was extracted from the central surveillance database of East Shawa Zone Health Office. The data collected was analyzed from September 2020 to December 2020 to examine trends of malaria epidemiology in three malarious districts in the Zone. Results: The results of the present study showed a remarkable decrease in slide positivity rate (SPR) from 16.3 to 1.4% from 2016 to 2018 in the areas. However, a recent slight increase of malaria SPR was observed. On the other hand, as age increases more male individuals were infected with malaria compared to female of similar age groups. Falciparum, vivax and mixed malaria infection accounted for 53%, 41% and 6% respectively. Conclusions: Even though, an overall reduction of malaria incidence was revealed in the study areas, an increase in malaria SPR was observed in 2019 and 2020. Such inconsistency in reduction of malaria cases in the study area demands due attention of health planners.

An Epidemiological Trend of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.

Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Currently, the prevalence of the disease can possibly be heightened due to man-made ecological transformations particularly related to the recent development programs involving irrigation and construction of dams. The expansion of some of the water resource development projects has been cited enhancing the upsurge of urogenital schistosomiasis mainly in the lower altitude areas of the country. In connection to the extensive initiation of development projects in low altitude areas of the country, simultaneous and adequate attentions have never been given to address a pre-assessment of health impacts of the development programs prior to launching the projects. Helpful appraisals focusing on evaluation of epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis in Ethiopia have not been explored. Therefore, the current review attempts to trace an overall picture of the epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis in the country; the past and existing trends of urogenital schistosomiasis surveys and control programs of the country are reviewed. Essential recommendations are highlighted for possible inputs in future control design strategies of national control program of schistosomiasis.

The self-curing phenomenon of schistosome infection in rhesus macaques: insight from in vitro studies.

A reduction in the burden of schistosomiasis is potentially achievable by integrating a schistosomiasis vaccine with current control measures. Here, we determine parasite-specific in vitro responses of B, T, and NK cells from naive uninfected rhesus macaques to Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) egg (SmEA) and worm antigen (SmWA) preparations isolated from infected baboons. Pronounced B cell responses to SmEA and NK cell responses to both SmEA and SmWA were observed. High levels of IL-2 and IL-21 responses against Sm antigens were observed in T and non-T cells of lymph nodes (LNs) and gut lamina propria-derived lymphocytes (LPLs). Data analysis showed multifunctionality of LN-derived CD4+ , CD8+ , and CD4+ CD8+ double positive T cells against either SmWA or SmWA+SmEA antigen preparations. Distinct SmEA-specific multifunctional responses were observed in gut LPLs, suggesting simultaneous responses against egg antigens. These data provide insight into the immune effectors involved in schistosome responses by rhesus macaques.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Results of a Five-Year (2005-2009) Parasitological Examination for Common Intestinal Parasites from Bale-Robe Health Center, Robe Town, Southeastern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional retrospective survey using the past five years clinical records (2005-2009) was conducted. The study was aimed at assessing the status of common intestinal parasites from Bale-Robe Health Center, Southeastern Ethiopia, in 2009/2010. The survey involved collection of data recorded on intestinal parasite from the health center during 2005-2009. Precoded questionnaires and interviews were also supplemented for knowledge attitude practices survey (KAPs survey) to assess awareness level of treatment seekers. Analysis of the various associations and strength of significant variations among qualitative and quantitative variables were assessed. The results revealed that Entamoeba histolytica (36.1%) and Giardia lamblia (11.0%), both being protozoan parasites were found to be the most prevalent intestinal parasites encountered during 2005-2009. The least prevalent intestinal parasite recorded was Strongyloides stercoralis (1.1%). Most intestinal parasites were detected among age group of 15 years and above than 0-4 and 5-14 years as shown in Table 4. There was a significant correlation between intestinal parasites prevalence and the age of treatment seeking individuals (P < 0.05). A sharp increasing trend of E. histolytica and Ascaris lumbricoides infections was observed owing to low personal and environmental sanitation of the majority of the society. Initiation of health education at different levels could be recommended to mitigate infectious parasites in the area.